SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

Remembering Engine Company No. 6

Early in August, as Joanne and I drove to Sharon's house in New Hampshire, misreading our Google Maps instructions led us to a heart-wrenching exhibit. We missed a turnoff somewhere in New York and ended up in Albany. In search of a bathroom, by chance an open parking space put us in front of the New York State Museum. Despite our goal of a quick pit stop—not a visit to the museum—we stayed for an hour. We never left the exhibition The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response.

There the actual burned out hulk of Engine No. 6 was as powerful a memorial as any that might be built on the site.

On September 11, 2001 it had carried five firefighters to the World Trade Center. They entered the North Tower to begin a rescue against tremendous odds.

Only one, Billy Green, left the Tower alive.

The pain in his eyes and his voice as he retells the story a year later brought back the emotion of that day for me, eight years later.

My very short video just hints at the tragic eloquence of his story. (Video updated Sept. 13, 2009)